Latest Ethiopian News - Ethiopian Politics Government

December 13, 2017 - In a statement sent to Ezega.com, the US Embassy expressed concern about the recent unrest and deaths in some parts of the country and univeristies. Here is the full statement sent by the US Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia:

"We are troubled and saddened by reports of violence that has resulted in deaths and injuries in the town of Chelenko and at several universities over the past two days. We extend our condolences to the families and friends of the victims."

"It is important that the Ethiopian government ensure the safety of all Ethiopian citizens, and hold accountable those responsible for violence

December 13, 2017 - Following clashes between ethnic groups in some parts of Ethiopia, Ethiopians are facing social media blackout as Facebook and Twitter are down, reports fox news.

Oromia regional spokesman Addisu Arega said the violence in Chelenqo town killed six people and was being investigated. On Facebook he called the victims "innocent civilians."The Addis Standard news site reported 15 killed, including women and children. The Associated Press was not able to independently verify the reports.

Oromia regional officials have long accused special police from the neighboring Somali region of committing atr

December 11, 2017 - Following a series of organizational meetings and deep evaluations, the new exective committe of the TPLF has assigned its members various duties. The committe highlighted the need for renewed focus on both regional and national issues. Accordingly, the 9-member executive committe has assigned its members the following tasks.

December 10, 2017 - The United States government stated that it is looking at “comprehensive approaches” to extend humanitarian assistance as well as help resolve tensions that caused over 660,000 internally displaced people in the eastern part of Ethiopia.

In his meeting with members of the media at the US Embassy,Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Donald Yamamoto said that the US foreign secretary under Trump administration is committed to keep boosting relations with sub-Saharan countries including Ethiopia that he called a “core partner”.

December 2, 2017 - The Ethiopian Foreign Ministry stated that it summoned an embassy employee in Ankara who was reportedly drunk and threatened Turkish police officers that he would “start a war” between Ethiopia and Turkey after getting involved in a traffic accident, reports Anadolu Agency. The ministry said in a statement that Ethiopian Foreign Minister Workneh Gebeyehu instructed the formation of a committee to investigate the misconduct of the Ethiopian diplomat.

It also said the embassy staffer returned to the country on suspicion of misconduct and the ministry was also weighing on imposing sanctions on the official a

November 28, 2017 - In an extraordinary move, the Tigrayan People Liberation Front (TPLF) central committee removed party chairman Abay Woldu and demoted three others from leadership positions. More developments are unfloding in these marathon meetings that are drawing to a close, according to report in Horn Affairs.

On Sunday, TPLF chairman Abay Woldu was removed from his post. The CEO of EFFORT, Azeb Mesfin, and her deputy, Beyene Mekeru, were removed from the Executive Committee. Abay Woldu and Beyene Mekeru are to continue as members of the Central Committee. Azeb Mesfin is temporarily suspended until her dismissal is approved

November 27, 2017 - Ethiopia's federal Supreme Court has today overruled a decision by the Federal High court fourth criminal bench and reduced the jail term of Yonatan Tesfaye, social media activist and former public relations head of the opposition Blue Party, to three years and six months only, reports Addis Standard. After having been charged with terrorism, the Ethiopian opposition figure is serving a jail term of six years and six months, which was handed to him by the federal high court on May 25, 2017.

However, his lawyer Shibiru Belete has appealed for the charges of terrorism to be downgraded to criminal charges. A

November 25, 2017 - East Africa Bottling SC, bottler of Coca Cola brands in Ethiopia, announced that a sugar consignment destined to its plant in Bahir Dar was intercepted and confiscated by security forces in the town of Goha Tsion, in North Shoa Zone of the Oromia Regional State, starting late last month, reports the Ethiopian English weekly newspaper the Reporter.

The bottler also indicated that the confiscated sugar consignment was around 720 quintals and was commandeered at different times at the same location starting late last month.

All the four trucks were seized while transporting sugar to one of its plants in Bahir Dar, the capital

November 19, 2017 - Park IL, Consul-General of Korean Embassy in Ethiopia, stated that Ethiopia is a priority partner nation for Korea, and the two countries have great interest to deepen their cooperation in areas of coffee, education, science and technology, according to the Ethiopian News Agency.

November 15, 2017 - Ethiopian opposition parties and the government have concluded negotiations on Amended Electoral Law of Ethiopia Proclamation No 532/2007, reports FBC. The parties had agreed in the previous negotiations on the introduction of mixed electoral system to the Ethiopia’s electoral system.

The mixed electoral system will be applicable to regional states and the two city administrations as well as zones.

Some 110 new seats will be added to the existing 550 seats of the House of People's Representatives and the minimum requirement threshold for a party to take a seat in the proportional representation

November 12, 2017 - The World Bank Group announced plans to grant USD 5.5 million to Ethiopian Central Statistical Agency (CSA). The funds would mostly scale up data production and build two more branch offices in other parts of Ethiopia. It would also use the money to help strengthen the CSA’s data dissemination systems and tools.

"This assistance is consistent with Bank’s Country Partnership Strategy and the government’s own plans for improving data for policy decision making,” said Waleed Haider Malik, the Bank’s Senior Public Sector Specialist.

November 12, 2017 - Ethiopian opposition parties negotiating with government have failed to agree on the name of the national electoral board of Ethiopia (NEBE). The parties argued in two proposals over whether to continue with the existing name or change it to commission, reports Ethiopian News Agency.

The ruling party, EPRDF, argued the need to continue with the existing name as the name of the electoral body is already stated in the constitution.

EPRDF said a viable justification is needed to make the change following constitutional procedures.

November 12, 2017 - Following national security council discussions, the Ethiopian government announced a ban on protest rallies across the country. The Ethiopia’s government move is part of a national security plan aimed at consolidating peace and stability in the country, according to the report.

Ethiopia’s defense minister, Siraj Fagessa, in a press briefing after a national security council discussion said the ban was a consensus decision by the council with the aim of preventing deaths and destruction of properties across the country.

The minister, however, admitted that parts of the country were becoming volatile after t

November 10, 2017 - The recent Ethiopia’s government measure of devaluating Birr, which is aimed at encouraging the Ethiopia’s export and enhancing foreign currency, is registering encouraging results, said Hailemariam Dessalegn, prime minister of Ethiopia.

The devaluation was conceived because of its importance in speeding up the rapid growth of the country, the Premier told journalists in his press briefing today.

He revealed that saving and FDI, for example, have increased by 30 percent and 18 percent respectively when compared to that of same period last year.

November 9, 2017 - After long silence, Ethiopia Prime Minster briefed local journalists on current issues. Among the topics raised by the primer include: the border conflicts between Oromia and Ethiopia Somali regional states, ongoing anti- corruption crackdown, devaluation of Ethiopia currency and other current issues. He said Ethiopia’s National Security Council has begun works to resolve conflicts occurring in the country. The Council’s works will focus on involving the public to tackle conflicts, including conducting series of public consultations. The Ethiopian premier also said that the federal and regional security forces have also started an int

November 9, 2017 - Ethiopia’s government expressed that it is taking a range of measures to reverse the trend of brain drain, reports the Ethiopian News Agency. The work aimed to attracting knowledge and expertise from the Diaspora is being undertaken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with domestic private organizations and Diaspora associations.

The Ethiopian Diasporas, estimated to be at 2.5 million, are considered as huge untapped resource of human capital which clearly is vital for the development of the country.

Director-General of Diaspora Engagement Affairs at the Ministry, Demeke Atnafu

November 7, 2017 - Ethiopian Foreign Minister, Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, briefed foreign diplomats based in Addis Ababa on the recent border clash. In his briefing, the Ethiopian minster particularly emphasized on the recent irresponsible clashes in Oromia and Ethiopian Somali regional states, unrest in some parts of Oromia and the recent devaluation of Ethiopian birr among others.

Dr. Workneh underscored that clashes in Oromia and Ethiopian Somali regional states were instigated by rent-seeking groups who wanted to take advantage of minor conflicts.

He said the government was now working to dismantle the activities of these rent seeking

November 5, 2017 - ARENA Tigray held demonstration on Saturday Nov. 4, 201 in the capital city of Tigrai, Mekelle, reports Tigrai Online. The government of Tigray did not approve the demonstration, but that didn’t stop the opposition party based in Tigrai from going ahead, according to the reports.

Arena is legally registered opposition party based in Tigrai state the party is part of an Ethiopian national opposition party, Medrek.

The demonstration in Mekelle was suppose to show support to the people who are being displaced and losing their lives in Oromia and other states. The turnout appears to be low based on vide

November 1, 2017 - The anti-government protests in Ethiopia are the result of youth unemployment, said Negeri Lencho, Ethiopian information minister. In an interview with the BBC, the former Ethiopian academician expressed that lack of jobs for Ethiopian youth universities produce every year are the cause of the protests.

In his interview with BBC, the Ethiopian offical sought to separate the incidents of last year with the renewed tensions the country is experiencing. “Actually the demonstrations that we witnessed before a year or so and the current one are not one and the same because in the last maybe two decades, Ethiopia invested